Cavs: Zydrunas Ilgauskas is a Classy Guy

A message from Z to you, LeBastards!

Dear Cleveland,

When I came to this country 14 years ago, I was a young man who barely spoke the language and had no idea what to expect of this great country.

As I look back on those early days, I realize how lucky I was to have grown up in a place like Cleveland.  All of you have taught me the importance of family and friends; of pulling together to get things done; of loving your country.

I’ve never felt as proud as when I’ve pulled on the wine and gold and stepped onto the court.

I’ve tried my best to return that support by playing as hard as I could each and every game.

The decision to play for Miami was not an easy one to make for either myself or my family.

But as I enter the last few years of my career, I felt I owed it to myself and my family to chase my dream of winning an NBA championship.

I hope you understand.

I also hope you realize that Cleveland will always be home to me.

With love and appreciation,

Zydrunas “Z” Ilgauskas

Wow.  Z took out a full page ad in the Plain Dealer today, looking like a classy guy while LeBron continues to look like a, well . . . bastard.  But in all seriousness, there's not much else that can be said that Z didn't already say.  I would like to point out that, on the whole, Cavs faithful have shown nothing but love and support to Zydrunas throughout his decision to take his talents to South Beach, while we have shown nothing but scorn for LeBron James throughout his.  Maybe it's not that they both left Cleveland, but the manner in which both did it.  To you, Z, we wish nothing but the best.

Love,

Your once and future home.


P.S.  LeBron should hire Z's management team.

Cavs: Shaq Traded to Raptors?

Despite many criticisms, there is no denying that Shaq is a showman. 

Breaking News, LeBastards?

Not really, it seems.  According to J.E. Skeets from Yahoo! Sports, Shaquille O'Neal has not been traded to the Toronto Raptors, despite what this un-doctored photograph may have you believe.  The story is that Shaq and his wife, Shaunie, were at Disney's Wide World of Sports to watch their son Shareef's basketball game in the 3rd Grade D1 National Boys Basketball Championship Tournament when Shaq inexplicably decided to don a Toronto Raptors #33 jersey around the complex.  Say what you will about the ORIGINAL Superman, but the man is a showman to the bone.  Shaq knows that the market for him is seemingly drying up at an alarming speed and although he's been considering looking overseas for work in Europe, he's trying to get his name out there in the open again and have people talking about the Most Dominate Ever, in hopes of landing a job with a contending team.

What does LeBastard nation think?  Cheap gimmick or brilliant marketing move by The Diesel?  Sound off in the comments below!

Browns: Haden Signs, Hardesty Twists Ankle

Our first Browns post, LeBastards!

Today the Cleveland Browns came to terms with first round pick Joe Haden on a 5 year contract worth $50 million ($26 million guaranteed), not including a $12 million signing bonus.  Haden was the last of the Browns 8 2010 draft picks to sign his rookie contract.  Due to not being under contract, Haden has not been practicing with the Browns up to this point.  He will, however, be available to practice with the team at their next practice, scheduled for 5:45 pm tonight.  Earlier this morning during head coach Eric Mangini's press confrence, he Browns coach reinforced the need for Haden to show up and start practicing with the team as soon as humanly possible.  Haden will wear jersey #23 and battle for the starting Corner Back jobs with Eric Wright and Sheldon Brown, who are the projected starters.

In other Browns news, second-round pick Montario Hardesty as twisted his ankle and will miss "a few weeks," according to coach Mangini.  Hardesty has a history of injuries while playing at Tennessee and was expected to challenge holdover Jerome Harrison for the starting half back job.  Due to the length of time missed due to the injury, it appears Harrison, who rushed for 561 yards in the final three games last season, will start the season at half back.

What do you think about the outlook of the Browns for this upcoming season?  I have an outlook article in the pipeline, but for now shout out in the comments!